Hollow walled display tray



Jan. 4, 1966 T. DAVIDSON 3, 7,

' HOLLOW WALLED DISPLAY TRAY Filed Aug. 17, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1INVENTOR M45 L. DAVIDSON TTORNEY Jan. 4, 1966 T. L. DAVIDSON 3,227,355

HOLLOW WALLED DISPLAY TRAY Filed Aug. 17, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORTHOMAS L. DAVIDSON BY Km ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,227,355 HOLLOWWALLED DISPLAY TRAY Thomas L. Davidson, Springfield, Mass., assignor toDiamond International Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug.17, 1964, Ser. No. 389,888 Claims. (Cl. 229-34) rounding an item andforming a package by. means of a shrink film overwrap or the like; toprovide a tray which can be loaded or have a product deposited thereonwhile the carton is still in a folded or collapsed form; to provide atray which is simple and readily set up; to provide a tray which is of aone-piece construction and formed from a substantially rectangular blankwhich keeps waste of stock material at a minimum; and provide a traywhich is satisfactory and practical for the purpose intended.

These together with other and more specific objects will become apparentfrom a consideration of the following description taken in conjunctionwith the drawing forming a part thereof, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the novel tray showing a fragmentaryportion of one corner covered by means of a transparent overwrap ofshrink film or the like;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the blank fromwhich the novel tray is produced;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the assembled tray in a fiat or collapsedcondition;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged section taken substantially on the plane of line4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged section taken substantially on the plane of line55 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective View showing the upperright-hand corner of the novel tray in a partially erected condition;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view similar to FIG. 6 andshowing the relative position of the parts during an intermediate stageof erection;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view similar to FIGS. 6and 7 showing the finally erected upper right-hand corner of the noveltray; and

FIGS. 9 and 10 respectively indicate differently appearing framesattained by varying dimensions of the panel elements of the differentpanel element arrays.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and first considering FIG. 2, theimproved tray is produced from a blank 10 of a suitable paperboardmaterial or the like which is cut and scored as will presently bedescribed in detail. The blank 10 comprises a rectangular bottom panel12 (square in the exemplary embodiment) which is bordered at opposedpairs of parallel hinge or score lines 14, 16 and 18, 20 by tubularwall-panel element arrays 22, 24 and 26, 28 respectively.

T he wall panel element arrays 22 and 24 are identical in this preferredembodiment and thus only one of these arrays will be described indetail, the other of which being identified by similar primed referencenumerals. The wall panel element array 22 comprises an inner wall. panelelement 30 having free edges 32 and 34 colinear with fold lines 20 and18, respectively. The panel element 30 ice is formed by a fold line 36parallel to fold line 14 and terminating at the free ends or edges 32and 34 of the panel element 30. A top wall panel element 38 is hingedlyconnected to the fold line 36 and has formed in the outer ends thereoflock tabs 40 and 42 which include converging angular margins 44 and 46,respectively, projecting below the fold line 36 and inwardly at 48 and50 to form tab portions flanking the free margins 32 and 34, of thepanel element 30. The tab portions 40 and 42 format the opposite ends ofthe panel element 30', i.e. at the free margins 32 and 34 retainingslots 54 and 56, the function of which is to subsequently be describedin detail. l

An outer Wall panel element 58 is hingedly connected on a fold line 60to the top wall panel element 38 and includes free side margins 62 and64 generally terminating in alignment with the free outer margins of thetabs 40 and 42 and. hingedly connected on a fold line 66 is a combinedbottom wall panel element and glue flap 68 which will have adhesiveapplied to the portion 70 thereof, i.e. on the surface opposite thatshown in FIG. 2 and adjacent the margin 71.

Wall panel element arrays 26 and 28 are substantially identical,however, the width of the top Wall panels and the walls formed from thepanel elements is wider than the corresponding hollow wall formed fromthe array of wall panel elements 28 (see FIGS. 1 and 5, for example);this extra width lending to the incorporation of special art works, etc.as will subsequently be described.

The wall panel element array 26 comprises an inner wall panel element 72hingedly connected at fold line 18. and defined at the outer edge by afold line 74 parallel to the fold line 18. Formed at opposite ends ofthe inner wall panel 72 by means of a substantially U-shaped cut areopposed lock tabs 76 and 78, the function of which will be describedwith respect to the erected carton. Hingedly connected on a fold line 79disposed parallel to the fold lines 74 and 18 is a top wall panelelement 80 and an outer side wall panel element 82. Hingedly connectedto panel element 82 on a fold line 84 parallel to the previouslymentioned fold lines 18, 74 and 79 is a bottom wall panel and glue flapelement 86 which includes a portion 88 which will receive adhesive onthe surface opposite that shown for securement to the bottom panel 12when the blank is assembled for subsequent erection.

It will be noted that the panel elements 80, 82'and 86 are substantiallythe same length, however, the only requirement with respect to length isthat the panel elements 80, 82 and 86 terminate intermediately of thetop wall panel elements 38, 38 of the panel element arrays 22 and 24,respectively.

The panel element array 28 includes an inner wall panel element 72'hingedly connected at fold line 20 and having at opposite ends thereoflock tabs 76 and 78', respectively. It will be noted that the panelelements 30, 30 and 72 and 72' are of the same width and this determinesthe height of the erected tray. Hingedly connected on a fold line 74 isa top panel element 80' which, it will be noted, is of substantiallygreater width than the corresponding' top panel element 80 of the panelelement array 26. An outer side panel element 82 is connected to thepanel element 80 on a fold line 79 which is parallel to fold lines 20and 74'. A bottom panel element 86' is hingedly connected to the panelelement 82 on a fold line 84, and the panel element 86' in addition tobeing substantially the width, of the panel element 80' and wider thanthe corresponding panel element 86 of the panel element array 26,includes a portion 88 which will receive adhesive thereon and functionin the manner previously described with respect to the panel portion 88of the array 26.

In the exemplary embodiment, the panel element 80' has formed thereon bya suitable art work a figure 90, and a portion 92 thereof is formed by aout line 94 which extends partially into the panel element 72. As seenin FIGS. 1 and 5, for example, the figure 90 on the panel element 80will include the portion 92 which partially extends over the bottompanel 12 or the product-receiving compartment of the erected andassembled tray which can be utilized to and in retaining the product inthe compartment before an overwrap is applied.

Assembly the blank The single blank will be folded on fold lines 78, 78'initially with portions 88, 88 having glue applied thereto and foldedand secured beneath the bottom panel 12, and thereafter the panelelement arrays 22 and 24 are folded on fold lines 60, 60' with theportions 70, 70 being secured in overlying relationship with respect tothe terminal ends of glue flap portions 88, 88 of the panel elementarrays 26 and 28. When this has been accomplished, as seen in FIGS. 3and 4, panel 12 will be in the same plane as panel elements 72, 80 and72', 80. Additionally, panel elements 30, 38, and 30', 38 will also bein the plane of the bottom panel 12.

The bottom panel 12 may have formed therein a cut or slot S forreceiving therein, as is conventional, a portion of the goods beingpackaged, and the goods being packaged may be initially positioned onthe panel 12 and subsequently the tray will be erected about the goodsin a manner to be presently described.

Erection of the tray The panels 72, 82 and 72', 82' will be orientedinto vertically extending, parallel relationship relative to each otherand substantially normal to bottom panel 12, top panel 80 and bottompanel 86, top panel 80 and bottom panel 86', respectively, see FIG. 5,for example. When the array of panel elements 26, 28 are oriented in themanner just described, the tab elements 76, 78 and 76' and 78' will bedisposed vertically with the upper edges of these tabs in substantialalignment with the retaining slots 54, 56 and 54, 56'.

The panels 30, 58 and 30', 58 are now oriented into mutually parallelrelationship normal to the adjacent top and bottom panel elements of therespective panel element arrays 22 and 24 (see for example FIG. 6).

Now referring to FIG. 7, the tab 40 enters beneath the panel element 80and behind the inner wall panel element 72 and the tab 76 will moveinwardly behind the vertical plane of the inner wall panel element 30 inthe groove or slot 54 forming the inner margin of the tab 40substantially at the fold line 74 (see FIGS. 1, and 8).

The now erected tray which has been erected about the goods to bepackaged or into which the goods may now be deposited, will be wrappedby means of a transparent wrapper T in the manner shown in FIG. 1, forexample, or may have elastic bands, string or a non-transparent wrapperformed thereabout.

It will be noted that panel 80' in the erected tray is wider thancorrespondnig panel 80, this being done in the exemplary embodiment tofacilitate the formation of the figure 90.

As clearly apparent in this exemplary embodiment, the width of the topand bottom panels may be varied. Although not shown, by varying thedimensions of panels 80, 80' and 38, 38' it is possible to form trayshaving a frame which includes tubular side walls having a cross sectionforming a parallelogram or isosceles trapezoid, for example (see FIGS. 9and 10, for example) and trays 100 and 200, respectively.

Obviously, many modifications may be made without departing from thebasic scope of the present invention, and therefore, within the scope ofthe appended claims the invention may be practiced other than has beenspecifically described.

What is claimed is:

1. A fiolded-flat, hollow-walled display tray comprising a rectangularbottom panel bordered by opposed pairs of parallel Wall panel elementarrays respectively connected at opposed pairs of parallel hinge linesforming the periphery of said rectangular bottom panel; each wall panelelement array comprising from said hinge lines bordering said bottomwall and extending outwardly therefrom an inner wall panel element, atop Wall panel element, and outer wall panel element, a glue flapconnecting said inner, top and outer panel elements to said bottompanel; said inner and top wall panel elements of each of said arraysbeing disposed in coplanar relation With respect to each other andoverlying and juxtaposed on said outer wall panel elements, said innerwall panel elements of one pair of opposed wall panel element arraysincluding at terminal ends thereof terminal lock tabs projecting beyondadjacent free marginal ends of and extending the width of the other pairof inner wall panel elements of said other pair of opposed wall panelelement arrays, the top wall panel elements of said other wall panelelement arrays including free lock tabs projecting beyond the freeterminal ends of the inner wall panel elements to which said top panelelements are hingedly connected, said lock tabs on the ends of saidinner wall panel elements and said top wall panel elements beingdisposed in confronting and substantially linear relationship, said glueflap being connected to one surface of said tray bottom panel.

2. A flolded-flat, hollow-Walled tray as set forth in claim 1 in whichan adjacent top panel and inner wall panel element of one of said arraysincludes a figure formed therefrom, said figures being integral andcoplanar with said top panel and extending beyond the hinge linefoldably connecting the same to the adjacent inner wall panel elementwhereby said figure projects partially over said tray bottom panel andcoplanar with said top panel when the tray is erected.

3. The folded-flat tray as claimed in claim 2 in which said top wallpanel including said figure is of a greater width than the correspondingtop panel of the opposed wall panel element array.

4. A blank for producing a foldable, hollow-walled display trayconsisting of a rectangular bottom wall including marginal fold linesextending about the periphery thereof, two pairs of arrays of wall panelelements connected to opposed parallel margins of said bottom wallpanel, an inner wall panel, top wall panel, rear wall panel and combinedbottom wall panel and glue flap element all connected on mutuallyparallel fold lines, said inner wall panel elements of said one pair ofwall panel element arrays including a free marginal edge extending theentire width and colinear with the parallel margins to which said otherpair of wall panel element arrays is connected to said bottom wallpanel, the top wall panel elements of said first-mentioned pair of wallpanel element arrays including lock tabs flanking the free marginaledges of said inner wall panel elements of said first-mentioned pair ofwall panel element arrays, said other pair of wall panel element arrayscomprising an inner wall panel, top wall panel, rear wall panel andcombined bottom wall panel and glue flap element, the inner wall panelelements of said second arrays including free terminal tab portionsformed from U-shaped cut portions and immediately flanking the freemarginal terminal ends of said first-mentioned inner wall panelelements, said lock tabs and lock tab portions of said top wall panelelements of said first-mentioned pair of wall panel element arrays andsaid second-mentioned pair of Wall panel element arrays, respectively,being disposed in confronting and substantially linear relationship.

5. In a blank as claimed in claim 4 in which the top wall panel elementof one of said arrays and the adjacent inner wall panel element thereofinclude a figure integral References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATESPATENTS 8/1932 King 22915 X 6/1939 Evans et a1 22934 Ringler 229-34Berry. Smith 22934 Williamson.

Clarke.

Frankenstein.

GEORGE O. RALSTON, Primary Examiner. JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Examiner.

1. A FOLDED-FLAT, HOLLOW-WALLED DISPLAY TRAY COMPRISING A RECTANGULARBOTTOM PANEL BORDERED BY OPPOSED PAIRS OF PARALLEL WALL PANEL ELEMENTARRAYS RESPECTIVELY CONNECTED AT OPPOSED PAIRS OF PARALLEL HINGE LINESFORMING THE PERIPHERY OF SAID RECTANGULAR BOTTOM PANEL; EACH WALL PENELELEMENT ARRAY COMPRISING FROM SAID HINGE LINES BORDERING SAID BOTTOMWALL AND EXTENDING OUTWARDLY THEREFROM AN INNER WALL PANEL ELEMENT, ATOP WALL PANEL ELEMENT, AND OUTER WALL PANEL ELEMENT, A GLUE FLAPCONNECTING SAID INNER, TOP AND OUTER PANEL ELEMENTS TO SAID BOTTOMPANEL; SAID INNER AND TOP WALL PANEL ELEMENTS OF EACH OF SAID ARRAYSBEING DISPOSED IN COPLANAR RELATION WITH RESPECT TO EACH OTHER ANDOVERLYING AND JUXTAPOSED ON SAID OUTER WALL PANEL ELEMENTS, SAID INNERWALL PANEL ELEMENTS OF ONE PAIR OF OPPOSED WALL PANEL ELEMENT ARRAYSINCLUDING AT TERMINAL ENDS THEREOF TERMINAL LOCK TAPS PROJECTING BEYONDADJACENT FREE MARGINAL ENDS OF AND EXTENDING THE WIDTH OF THE OTHER PAIROF INNER WALL PANEL ELEMENTS OF SAID OTHER PAIR OF OPPOSED WALL PANELELEMENT ARRAYS, THE TOP WALL PANEL ELEMENTS OF SAID OTHER